Major edgeSF
San Francisco 49ers
86.8PFM Team Score#4 NFL
San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals: PFM Team Comparison
The San Francisco 49ers hold a major overall advantage over the Arizona Cardinals in the current PFM ratings. San Francisco separates itself through the stronger coaching operation and the deeper roster.
Current PFM Team Scores
ARI
Arizona Cardinals
74.3PFM Team Score#26 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the San Francisco 49ers Higher
Kyle Shanahan gives the San Francisco 49ers the stronger coaching operation. Preparation and in-game answers matter once the opening script no longer controls the game. The Arizona Cardinals are closest in franchise direction, where the teams remain essentially even.
San Francisco also brings the deeper roster. San Francisco adds the more dependable offense. The counterargument matters, but it does not erase San Francisco's major overall advantage.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
San Francisco vs. Arizona Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
SFSan Francisco 49ers
ARIArizona Cardinals
ARIZONA’S BEST PUSHBACK
Franchise Direction Is Arizona’s Only Close Fight
Arizona's long-term direction gives the team one place to push back. The Cardinals are only 2.4 points behind San Francisco in Franchise Direction, but that is where Arizona's case ends. San Francisco still has Brock Purdy at quarterback and the deeper roster, two advantages the Cardinals cannot match in this comparison.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
SF86.8
San Francisco 49ers 86.8ARI74.3
Arizona Cardinals 74.3Overall NFL Rank
SF#4
San Francisco 49ers #4ARI#26
Arizona Cardinals #26QB Stability
SF85.5
San Francisco 49ers 85.5ARI78.5
Arizona Cardinals 78.5Roster Strength
SF83.8
San Francisco 49ers 83.8ARI73.8
Arizona Cardinals 73.8Coaching Direction
SF85.0
San Francisco 49ers 85.0ARI71.9
Arizona Cardinals 71.9Recent Performance
SF85.2
San Francisco 49ers 85.2ARI71.8
Arizona Cardinals 71.8Offense
SF85.2
San Francisco 49ers 85.2ARI76.5
Arizona Cardinals 76.5Defense
SF82.1
San Francisco 49ers 82.1ARI74.2
Arizona Cardinals 74.2Franchise Direction
SF75.5
San Francisco 49ers 75.5ARI73.1
Arizona Cardinals 73.1Explosiveness
SF77.7
San Francisco 49ers 77.7ARI68.3
Arizona Cardinals 68.3Conference Rank
SF#3
San Francisco 49ers #3ARI#13
Arizona Cardinals #13Division Rank
SF#3
San Francisco 49ers #3ARI#4
Arizona Cardinals #4Outlook
SFSuper Bowl ContenderARINeeds More Help
Stronger outlook: San Francisco 49ersSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
San Francisco 49ers
Remaining schedule rank: #11
Toughest stretch: Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs
Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams
Next five difficulty: 80.4
View San Francisco 49ers Road AheadArizona Cardinals
Remaining schedule rank: #1
Toughest stretch: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams
Next five difficulty: 85.2
View Arizona Cardinals Road AheadArizona has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 1. The strongest opponents include Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Rams. San Francisco also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger coaching operation and the deeper roster.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated September 15, 2026. Schedule data updated September 17, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams